Friday, February 18, 2011

Caped Crusader

I realize the photos are crap - I'm still trying to figure out the camera on my iPhone...

In some amazing twist of spring temperatures, I was able to comfortably wander around NYC wearing it. The waist is cinched with a tie (in that leather channel) so it manages to be voluminous, but also fitted.

At first, I was on the fence about this purchase - I'm not any more, mind you, I think I'll get lots of spring and fall wear out of it (esp. with my fur vest underneath) - because:

If I never buy another item of clothing over-garment ever again, it'll still be overkill. I have a remarkably full wardrobe these days. All of the sewing I'm doing - even though I re-purpose much of what I make - is leading to space issues. And I have so many store-bought things as well. Alas, editing will be difficult. I love all my nicely-fitted clothes - can't imagine giving them away - but how to wear them all given sheer volume?

It wasn't cheap. I mean, it wasn't expensive ($400.00 marked down to $239.00) for this scale of garment, but if you see the bullet above and consider that I ran the risk of not being able to fit it into a tiny suitcase, well you see the dilemma.

I could fairly easily make something like this. Mind you, every other cape I've ever tried on has looked as hideous as this one looked good, so I've never had the urge to give it a go. I assumed this was a look for a woman of a different shape. Goes to show that every garment can work on every woman, as long as the proportions are correct.

I was shopping with 3 other women: the famous Sally and Audi and the fantastic wardrobe refashioner / sweetie pie Sara, and each of them looked as great in this (if not better) than I did. So I feel it has a bit of magic behind it.

It could be like the "sisterhood of the traveling cape"! :-P Actually, I kind of love it. I'd definitely wear it, which given my aversion to capes, that's saying something. I like how it's shape and the fact that it's somewhat fitted so it doesn't look like you are getting ready to go suck someone's blood. :-)

i really love this. i've not thought that i could pull off a caped silhouette, though i've always found them so elegant and versatile. your cape reminds me very much of the one that the ever-lovely Sofia Coppola is wearing in some of her LV collection photos.

That cape is glorious, and looks amazing on you. I'm so glad you came to your senses and bought it! Also, I wish I had you here to tell the sale story -- I simply cannot achieve the dramatic effect that you do.

Silly question, but... can you tell me what shade of white you have painted on your walls in this room? I like how the white "freshens" the room and I'm looking for a nice, fresh shade of white to paint my kids' room (which also has the same wood tones in furniture). And, love that cape!—Hope

Sara: I'm really glad I bought it. Thank you for helping me to make that decision!

CGC: Oh, I know what you mean - they're so British period piece most of the time! This one has a bit more modernity.

Sophie: Run to Barneys Coop! There's even one that's camel - with slightly different tailoring but same basic shape. We all agreed that it was fabulous too.

Stacy: Thank you. That's the thing - it is versatile. Though who would think that of a cape??

Susan: Photo coming up for you tomorrow!

Audi: Just invite me to SF and I'll go on auto-pilot :-) You really had the BEST shopping luck.

Sherry: Thanks! Come back tomorrow for a person in cape shot.

Anon: Oh, I wish I could remember the name. It's Benjamin Moore and it may be Butter - or something like that. It's actually a very pale, French yellow. It looks beautiful on a sunny day. My sister paints every house she lives in this colour.

Miss C: Can't you just see me on a moor??

Kristin: Ha! Thanks. You'll just have to go back to NYC really soon and score yourself one!

You need to find a friend who's the same size as you that will take your things. I have one and she LOVES getting clothes that look great on her and it's easier for me to hand things off to a lover of clothes. I can truly apply the 'do I really love it' test and she's extra thrilled to get hand sewn things!

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